Telephone booth corner post construction



March 15, 1966 P. H. SHERRON TELEPHONE BOOTH CORNER POST CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 18, 1961 FIG. 4.

FIG. 3.

FIG. 2.

F I G INVENTOR.

' PERCIVAL H. SHERRQN BY WIMP ATTORNEYS March 15, 1966 P. H. SHERRON 3,239,980

TELEPHONE BOOTH CORNER POST CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 18, 1961 2 sheets-sheet a s INVENTOR.

PERCIVAL H. SHERRON B ATTO R NEYS United States Patent 3,239,980 TELEPHONE BOOTH CORNER PGST CONSTRUCTIGN Percival H. Sheri-on, Jamaica, NX. Sherron Metallic Corp., 1201 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn 37, N.Y.) Filed Dec. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 159,869 The portion of the term of the patent subsequent to July 30, 1979, has been disclaimed 8 Claims. (Cl. 52-282) This invention relates generally to telephone booths and particularly to improvements in the construction of corner posts therefor.

It is the general object of this invention to provide a two-piece corner post which may be rigidly and easily assembled.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved means for rigidly securing the corner posts in the base of the telephone booth.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of a corner post construction in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal section of a rear corner post looking downwardly toward the bottom thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a front corner post looking downwardly toward. the bottom thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a front corner post in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second form of corner post construction in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal section of a rear corner post in accordance with the second form of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal section of a front corner post in accordance with the second form of the invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the front corner post in accordance withthe second form of the invention.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the corner of a rectangular base structure of a telephone booth is indicated generally at 2 and comprises upright sides 4 and 6, which have, respectively, laterally extending bottom flanges 8 and 10 and laterally extending top flanges 12 and 14. A floor plate 16 overlies the bottom flanges 8 and It). The corner post shown in FIGURES l and 2 is adapted for use as a rear corner post and is thus provided with channels at the ends thereof for supporting the side edges of the panels of the telephone booth.

This rear corner post comprises an outer member or post shell 20 and an inner member or post liner 22. Members 20 and 22 are preferably aluminum extrusions and have a length approximating the height of the telephone booth. Onlyshort sections of the members 20 and 22 are shown in FIGURE 1. Member 28 is angular in crosssection and, as shown in the drawings, has legs which join at right angles. Each of the legs of member 28 has a longitudinally extending, inwardly projecting rib 24 which extends normally from the legs and a longitudinally extending inwardly projecting rib 26 having a dovetail crosssectional shape. The inner member 22 is adapted to be positioned adjacent the outer member 24 with the legs thereof in opposed relation. As is shown in FIGURE 2, the member 22 has a longitudinally extending rib 28 on each leg thereof projecting toward the member 20 at a location proximate to the ribs 24. The vertex of member 22 has a rib 38 projecting toward the inner member 20.

A connecting base block or insert 32 is provided and has an angular shape such as members 20 and 22. Base block Patented Mar. 15, 1966 32 is adapted to rest on the top flanges 12 and 14. at the corner of the base structure 2 and is fastened thereto by a pair of mounting screws 34. Screws 34 have lock washers thereon and project through holes in flanges 12 and 14 for threaded engagement with threaded holes 36 in. the base block 32. Base block 32 has a pair of grooves 38 constructed to receive the dovetail-shaped ribs 26 for joining the member 20 and the base block 32. Baseblock also has a groove 40 adapted to receive the rib 30.

The members2tl and. 22 .are constructed to fit snugly about the base block 32 with the ribs 26 and 30 being positioned within the grooves 38 and 40', respectively, when the, corner post is in its assembled condition. In assembling the corner post on the base structure 2, the base block 32 is fastened onto the flanges 12 and 14 by means of screws 34. The member 20 is then slid downwardly onto the base structure 2 with the ribs 26 sliding into grooves 38; The joint provided by the ribs 26 in groove 38 rigidly interlocks the member 20 with the base block 32. Member 20 is then fastened to the base block and held against vertical movement relative thereto by a pair of mounting brackets. 42 and screws 44 which threadedly engage threaded holes in ribs 26 and base block 32.

The member 22 is then positioned with the bottom thereof resting on the flanges 12 and 14, rib 30 within groove 48 and ribs 24 and 28 in opposed relation. The members 20 and 22 are secured together in this position by mounting screws 46 which project through holes 48 in ribs 28 for threaded engagement with aligned holes St] in ribs 24.

Ribs 24 and 28 have additional aligned holes 52 and 54, respectively, at locations where an intermediate panel supporting channel 56 is to be mounted. Channel 56 is an H-rail which is supported at one end on the square portion of a bar 58. and is fastened thereto by screws 6021s is illustrated in FIGURE 1. Bar 58 has a cylindrical por; tion 62 which is projected through the cooperating holes 52 and 54. The cylindrical portion 62 is thus supported by the ribs 24 and 2S and serves to prevent relative movement between the members 20 and 22. Channel 56 serves to support the side panels of the telephone booth and provides a horizontally extending channel adapted to accommodate the peripheral edges of the panels for positioning the same. The ends of the members 20 and 22 cooperate with ribs 28 to define vertically extendingch'annels 64 which are adapted to accommodate the vertically extend-1 positioning the same on the ing edges of the panel for side of the telephone booth.

The front corner post shown. in FIGURES 3 and 4 is the same as the hereinbefore described rear corner post with the exception that the end of one of the legs of the member 22 is provided with a laterally projecting flange 66 which abuts the inner side of member 28 in the assemi bled condition of the cornerpost. Flange 66 thus provides a post for mounting the door of the telephone booth at one side of the door opening of the booth and serves. as a door jamb at the other side of the door opening. The door post is provided with a hinge bar 67 which is riveted to the inner member 22. The flange 66 terminates at the upper end of the booth to provide a groove 68 (FIGURE 4) adapted to receive the side edges of the front lintel of a telephone booth for mounting the same.

The form of the invention shown in FIGURES 5 to 8 is similar to the form previously described so that parts corresponding to parts hereinbefore described are given like reference numerals. The essential difference between the forms is that the second form utilizes an interlocking arrangement for connecting the members 20 and 22 instead of the screws 46.

The inner and outer members 20 and 22, respectively, of the corner post are aluminum extrusions of a length approximating the height of the telephone booth, only relatively short sections thereof being shown in FIGURE 5. Member 20 is provided with the dovetail-shaped ribs 26 which are adapted to be received in similarly shaped grooves 38 in the base block or insert 32. Inner member 22 is provided with a rib 30 which is adapted to be received in the groove 40 in base block 32.

l Member 20 is provided with longitudinally extending, inwardly projecting ribs 70 which project normally from the legs of member 20. A lip 72 is provided at the projecting end of ribs 70 and projects normally therefrom. Member 22 is provided with an L-shaped rib 74 project ing inwardly from the legs of member 22 to provide a hook for interlocking engagement with the lips 72 of member 20 as is best shown in FIGURE 6.

The procedure for assembling the second form of corner post on the base structure 2 involves fastening the base block 32 onto the flanges -12 and 14 by means of screws 34. The member 20 is then positioned on the base structure 2 with the ribs 26 being slid downwardly into grooves 38 whereby member 20 and base block 32 are joined. Member 20 is then fastened to base block 32 by the mounting brackets 42 and screws 44.

I The members 20 and 22 are assembled together by sliding member 22 into member 20 as is shown by the arrows in FIGURE 5, so that the lip 72 interlock-s with the hooks provided by ribs 74 as is shown in FIGURE 6. The interlocking arrangement restricts lateral movement between members 20 and 22 and provides a rigid structure. The member 22 is slid downwardly over base block 32 to rest on the flanges L2 and -14. Base block 32 is provided with notches 78 which provide clearance for the lips 72 and ribs 74. The member 22 is constructed to fit snugly over the base block with the ribs 30 projecting into the groove 40.

The ribs 70 have laterally extending slots '80 therein at each location where an intermediate panel supporting channel member 82 is to be mounted. Channel member 82 is an H-rail which is mounted on one end of a square bar 84 by suitable screws 86. Bar 84 is adapted to be received in the slot 80 so that the rib 70 serves as a support therefor. The channel member 84 serves to support the side panels of a telephone booth and provides a horizontally extending channel for accommodating the horizontal edges of the panels. The ends of the members 20 and 22 cooperate with the ribs 70 to define vertically extending channels 64 which are adapted to accommodate the vertical edges of the panel for positioning the same on the telephone booth.

The front corner post shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 differs from the rear corner post in that there is provided a later-ally projecting flange 66 which abuts the inner side of the member 20 as shown in FIGURE 7. The flanges 66 provide the door post and door jamb at the door opening of the telephone booth as was previously described.

It will be evident that the corner post structures in accordance wtih this invention provide a rigid and easily assembled arrangement. Moreover, the corner post may be securely mounted to the base structure in accordance with the disclosed arrangement.

It will be understood that various modifications and changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, instead of aluminum, extrudable synthetic resins may be used, such as rigid vinyl, polyethylene, polypropylene and nylon. Also, while extrusion has been specifically referred to herein as the method by which the corner posts are made, it will be apparent that other manufacturing techniques may be employed, such as roll forming. Hence, it is not desired to be limited except as required by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

*1. In a telephone booth, the combination comprising an upright, hollow corner post having an angular crosssection, said corner post including a first extruded, elongated, rigid member having a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to each other, and a second extruded, elongated, rigid member having a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to each other and in spaced, opposed relation to the legs of said first member, an angular insert having a short longitudinal dimension adapted to fit in the space between said members at the bottom ends thereof, means for securing the lower portion of said first member to said insert, said first member having a longitudinally extending rib projecting laterally from each leg thereof, said second member having a longitudinally extending rib projecting laterally from each leg thereof in side-byside relation with said ribs of said first member, and means for interlocking said ribs of said first and second members to secure said members together.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said means for securing the first member to the insert includes a vertically extending groove in each leg of said insert and a longitudinally extending dovetail-shaped rib on each leg of said first member adapted to be received in said groove.

3. In a telephone booth, the combination comprising an upright, hollow corner post having an angular crosssection, said corner post including a first elongated member having a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to each other, and a second elongated member having a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to each other and in spaced, opposed relation to the legs of said first member, an angular insert having a short longitudinal dimension adapted to fit in the space between said members at the bottom ends thereof, and means for securing the lower portion of said first member to said insert, said first member having a longitudinally extending rib projecting laterally from each leg thereof, said second member having a longitudinally extending rib projecting laterally from each leg thereof in side-byside relation with said ribs of said first member, said ribs of said first and second members having aligned holes therein, and means extending through said aligned holes for securing said members together.

4. In a telephone booth, the combination comprising an upright, hollow corner post having an angular crosssection, said corner post including a first elongated, extruded member having a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to each other, and a second elongated, extruded member having a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to each other and in spaced, opposed relation to the legs of said first member, an angular insert having a relatively short height adapted to fit in the space between said members at the bottom ends thereof, and means for securing the lower portion of said first member to said insert, said first member having a longitudinally extending rib projecting laterally from each leg thereof, said second member having a longitudinally extending rib projecting laterally from each leg thereof providing a longitudinally extending hook, said ribs on said first member having a lip portion adapted to be interlocked with said hook to secure said members together.

5. In a telephone booth, the combination comprising a horizontally disposed base, an upright, hollow corner post secured on top of said base and having an angular cross-section and including a first elongated member having a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to each other and a second elongated member having a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to each other and in spaced, opposed relation to the legs of said first member, an L- shaped insert mounted on and secured to said base and adapted to fit in the space betwen said members and having a relatively short longitudinal dimension, means for securing the lower portion of said first member to said insert including a vertically extending groove in each leg of said insert, and a longitudinally extending rib having a dovetail-like shape on each leg of said first member adapted to be received in said grooves, and means securing said members together.

6. In a telephone booth, the combination comprising an upright, hollow corner post having an angular crosssection and including a first elongated member having a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to each other and a second elongated member having a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to each other and in spaced, opposed relation to the legs of said first member, a base structure, an L-shaped solid insert having a short height and adapted to fit snugly in the space between said members, means mounting said insert on said base structure, means for securing the lower portion of said first member to said insert including a vertically extending groove in each leg of said insert, and a longitudinally extending generally dovetail-shaped rib on each leg of said first member adapted to be received in said grooves, said insert having a vertically extending groove at the vertex thereof, said second member having a rib adapted to be received in said last-named groove, and means for securing said members together.

'7. In a telephone booth, the combination comprising an upright, hollow corner post having an angular crosssection and including a first elongated member having a pair of legs extending perpendiculary to each other, and a second elongated member having a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to each other and in spaced, opposed relation to the legs of said first member, an L-shaped angular insert of a relatively short height adapted to fit in the space between said members at the bottom ends thereof, means for securing the lower portion of said first member to said insert, said insert being solid and having a vertically extending groove in each leg thereof, said first member having a longitudinally extending dovetailshaped rib on each leg thereof adapted to be received in said grooves, means for securing said members together, and means cooperating with the ends of the legs of memfor bers to define vertically extending channels at the ends of said corner post.

8. In a telephone booth, the combination comprising an upright, hollow corner post having an angular crosssection and including a first elongated member having a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to each other, and a second elongated member having a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to each other and in spaced, opposed relation to the legs of said first member, a relatively short L-shaped insert adapted to fit snugly in the space between said members at the bottom ends thereof, means for securing the lower portion of said first member to said insert including a vertically extending groove in each leg of said insert and a longitudinally extending dovetailshaped rib on each leg of said first member adapted to be received in said grooves, said first member having a second longitudinally extending rib projecting laterally from each leg thereof, said second member having a longitudinally extending rib projecting laterally from each leg thereof in opposed relation to said second r-ibs of said first member, and means for interlocking said second ribs of said first member With said ribs of said second member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,256,202 2/1918 Collins 217-69 2,018,911 10/1935 Brill et al. 52232 2,161,072 6/ 1939 McKenny 2l7-69 3,037,590 6/1962 Pavlecka 189-34 3,046,614 7/1962 Sherron 203.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 100,406 3/ 1937 Australia.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

JOEL REZNEK, RICHARD W. COOKE, JR.,

Examiners. 

5. IN A TELEPHONE BOOTH, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED BASE, AN UPRIGHT, HOLLOW CORNER POST SECURED ON TOP OF SAID BASE AND HAVING AN ANGULAR CROSS-SECTION AND INCLUDING A FIRST ELONGATED MEMBER HAVING A PAIR OF LEGS EXTENDING PERPENDICULARLY TO EACH OTHER AND A SECOND ELONGATED MEMBER HAVING A PAIR OF LEGS EXTENDING PERPENDICULARLY TO EACH OTHER AND IN SPACED, OPPOSED RELATION TO THE LEGS OF SAID FIRST MEMBER, AN LSHAPED INSERT MOUNTED ON AND SECURED TO SAID BASE AND ADAPTED TO FIT IN THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS AND HAVING A RELATIVELY SHORT LONGITUDINAL DIMENSION, MEANS FOR SECURING THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID FIRST MEMBER TO SAID INSERT INCLUDING A VERTICALLY EXTENDING GROOVE IN EACH LEG OF SAID INSERT, AND A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING RIB HAVING A DOVETAIL-LIKE SHAPE ON EACH LEG OF SAID FIRST MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED IN SAID GROOVES, AND MEANS FOR SECURING SAID MEMBERS TOGETHER. 